IKW Forum Waschen issues guidelines for washing linen textiles

The coordination office Forum Waschen of the German industry association Industrieverband Körperpflege- und Waschmittel (IKW e.V.) in Frankfurt am Main released detailed consumer advice on caring for linen and linen‑blend fabrics. The guide recommends minimal mechanical stress: avoid wringing, load the washing machine no more than half full, use a low spin speed (around 600 rpm), and dry the items immediately by hanging or laying flat rather than using a dryer.

For coloured, unbleached linen, wash inside‑out with a colour‑ or fine‑wash detergent; for undyed linen, a bleach‑based non‑liquid full‑wash detergent is suitable. Iron the fabric on the reverse side while it is still damp. These instructions aim to preserve the moisture‑regulating, wrinkle‑resistant and durable properties of flax fibres.

The same advice was circulated in Switzerland, referencing the Frankfurt office while being hosted on a Swiss domain.